Thursday, July 31, 2014

Today I want to share the specials that I am currently offering. Offers #1-4 are personal specials and are not part of the normal Close to my Heart specials.

#1 - Become a New Consultant

Anyone who joins my Close to my Heart team will receive a "My Crush" book directly from me. You can choose the book that you wish. I have ordered my first one and I can't wait to receive it and share it with you. I will also include an accessory assortment to coordinate with the book that you choose.

These books are super fun and will take preserving your memories to a whole different level. Just send me a message at djssundries@gmail.com and I will give you information about how you can take your creativity to new levels.

#2 - Host a Gathering

Anyone who hosts a Gathering - either Online or in your home between July 8 and July 31, will receive a free "B-sized" stamp set of your choice. These stamp sets are worth $9.95 and can be used in a variety of ways. I have very limited open dates for in-home Gatherings, so if you are interested, contact me ASAP at the email listed above. Worried that an online Gathering won't be as fun as an in-home Gathering? Every person who places an order through your Gathering receives a kit directly from me that includes an Exclusive YouTube video link as well as the supplies to make a small "take home" project, just as if they had attended an in-home Gathering. I want your on-line Gathering to be fun too!

Example of B-sized stamp set - Does not include paper or projects

#3 - Place a $75 Order*

Anyone who places an order of $75 or greater between July 8-31, will receive a "My Crush Besties Assortment". Why would you want this if you don't have a My Crush book? Because you can use these assortments in your Scrapbooking and Cardmaking too! In fact, if you place a qualifying order, I will send you a link to an Exclusive video, where I use this assortment to create a card. Just go here and place your order today. Currently, you may place your order through the "July Gathering" at the bottom of the page. However, if there are other open Gatherings listed there, you can choose whichever one you wish.

#4 - Lollydoodle Cardmakers Workshop on the Go

Workshops on the Go are kits designed for scrapbookers and cardmakers alike. They include paper, embellishments, a stamp set, and instructions to create scrapbook layouts or cards (depending on the Workshop you choose). Lollydoodle is a super fun workshop that will be retiring at the end of July. Anyone who purchases the cardmaker kit will receive the links to all the videos that I created for this workshop so that you can see how much fun we have in our Workshop Clubs. It includes 2 cutting guide videos (a bit boring but full of tips), 3 videos featuring the cards made in the kit (with variations for 1 of the cards to make it even more fun), and 3 bonus videos using the left-overs to create more great projects. You can purchase your Lollydoodle Workshop here. You may want to purchase the ink pads and foam tape used in the project as they are NOT included in the kit: foam tape, Slate, Hollyhock, Lagoon, Pear. I designed these exclusive videos for my Workshops on the Go Club Members, so be sure to take advantage of this offer while it lasts!

#5 - Stamp of the Month

Don't forget that every $50* order is eligible to receive the Stamp of the Month for just $5 direct from Close to my Heart. This is not exclusive to me. Close to my Heart offers this to every qualifying order every month. However, this stamp set is ONLY available during the month it is offered. When the month ends, this stamp set is GONE.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Remember to take some time to enjoy the little things.

* $50 and $75 dollar purchases are calculated on totals before sales tax and shipping.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Recently, I was asked some questions about my Filofax use. You may remember that last summer I started using a Day Runner and eventually added 3 Filofaxes to the mix. I had a 4th Filofax that didn't meet my needs so I sold it. Nearly a year has passed since I began using my Day Runner and I must admit that I really have not used them all as I initially intended. Below I am posting 3 Filofax/ Planner videos that I hope you will find helpful. Maybe you can take some of the information that I post and find something you can use.

The fourth video I am posting is a small haul from Staples. For me, being in an office supply store is like a kid in a candy store. In shopping, it rates only second to a great scrapbooking store. I am combining all the videos into this one blog post and really hope you enjoy them.

Filofax Update Video #1

An Overview of 4 Great Planners

Filofax Update Video #2

Using my Pocket Maulden

Filofax Update Video #3

Using my A5 Original

Office Supply Haul

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Remember to take some time to enjoy the little things.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Welcome to the Christmas in July Create*Craft*Share YouTube Hop. I am once again delighted to part of this fun hop. If you are just stopping by today, you really should start at the beginning here. I will list the full line-up at the bottom of the post.

I wanted to do a CAS Christmas Card that uses up some scraps and could be quickly produced in multiples. Though I haven't decided on this year's Christmas card yet, something like this may very well be at the top of the list as I typically send 75-100 cards and I think this year will be super busy.

When I edited the video, I cut out more than 2 1/2 minutes of extra stuff. In so doing I cut out the supply list so I wanted to share it with you now.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

I know that I have been talking about "calm" all year, but this month has shown that I need to continue to remain calm even more. Why? Because I'm heading back to school. I began to make plans to return to school last February, but after looking into 3 different programs, those plans just weren't working out. After much thought and prayer, I decided now was not the right time. I then added a new project to my plate and decided I needed to organize everything to be ready to go to school next spring.

Imagine my surprise when I ran across an unopened letter on July 4 announcing that I had been accepted into the program that I had been previously denied. I just need to be ready to start on August 22, the same day we begin our journey across the country to take our daughter to college. Exciting? Yes! Feeling the need for calm? Definitely!!!

This month's Art and Sassy mixed media tag swap was all about stencils and Cara did a great technique video that you can watch here on making a stenciled background. Pairing this technique with the gorgeous 3 Girl JAM ribbon made a beautiful, vibrant tag. I really think this is my favorite in the series.

Unfortunately, in an attempt to restore "calm", it is time to say goodbye to the 3 Girl JAM design team (at least for now). I want to thank Julie for allowing me to be part of this fabulous team. I am also so thankful for my talented DT sisters. You are all amazing and I am thankful for the opportunity to share this experience with you. I will miss being part of this group.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Remember to take some time to enjoy the little things.

I recently learned a new technique by watching AKCaraboo on YouTube which you can see here. I love it and will be trying more. I may even do a technique video showing it to you as well. After I did my own stencil printing, I had a project to create that you will see soon. There was a scrap of paper left over that I decided to use to make these pretty little cards. Since I was using stuff that was left over from another project, these little beauties took only a few minutes to create and I love them.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Do you ever want to thank someone for going above and beyond the call of duty, but have little time or money to get too extravagant? Maybe you want to thank a whole team of co-workers like I recently needed to do. If so, this is just the idea for you. I saw something similar to this a couple of years ago, but don't know where. Whoever had the idea, I think it's great, so thank you!

Close to my Heart has a great selection of products to pull off a little treat like this. So after you pick up a package of "Extra" gum head over to my Close to my Heart online store to get what you need. Here's the supply list:

Please remember that all of the current paper packs and collections will be discontinued by the end of July and that they are currently disappearing. Be sure to get them right away so you don't miss out. I am running some great specials right now and would love for you to take advantage of them. Click here to learn all about them.

Be sure to watch the video for full project instructions.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Remember to take some time to enjoy the little things.

Monday, July 14, 2014

I made 3 cards today using the Ivy Lane Workshop on the Go from Close to my Heart. Unfortunately, this kit is all gone but the paper pack is still available. This kit really didn't catch my eye until I was actually preparing for the workshop. Now I have to say that I love it. I'm so glad that I purchased some of the paper to make my own cards. You can still purchase the paper packet here. Then you can put your own twist on this paper with your own stamps and embellishments.

Cocoa, Pear, Hollyhock, and Bamboo Exclusive Inks are perfect matches for this paper. You can purchase your inks by clicking on each ink color name.

Don't forget that I have some great specials going on right now. Click here to view them. You don't want to miss out.

Thanks for stopping by today. Remember to take some time to enjoy the little things.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

I know that it is a few days past Thursday but I still wanted to share a fun project with you. One of the things that I love about being a Close to my Heart Independent Consultant is sharing the fabulous products they make with you while by creating great things for the ones that I love. Today I wanted to make something for my wonderful husband.

Have you ever looked at a piece (or a package) of paper and realize that you really want to use it, but that it just doesn't fit the theme of your project? Today I take a beautiful and feminine paper pack and pull papers from it to create a masculine card. Even a hint of flowers here and there can work for the men in your life and I think this card demonstrates that perfectly. By using bold embellishments with small bits of the the floral pattern, a neutral or masculine card was created. I was even able to pull in one of my favorite things - watercolors.

Don't forget that the Ariana collection and the Circus Alphabet will not be available after July. There are some other great items that are retiring so be sure to check out those items here. You won't want to miss them. Plus, click here to see the specials that I am currently running. There are some great deals available to you if you order from my Close to my Heart site.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Remember to take some time to enjoy the little things.

Monday, July 7, 2014

It's hard to believe that it is already half way through the year and that I have made my 6th "Calm" tag. The theme for this month was "Embossing". You could use heat embossing or embossing plates, so I decided to use both. I really wanted the simple elegance of using all white, so I decided to make this pretty tag.

Friday, July 4, 2014

I think that it has been at least 10 years since I last scrapbooked a 12X12 layout. There have been a few changes since then in this ever- changing industry. Now that I am an Independent Close to my Heart Consultant, I figured it was time to jump back into it and I thought using the Skylark Workshop on the Go kit would provide the perfect springboard. Boy was I right! It felt so good to accomplish this 2 page spread. Scrapbooking, I have missed you!

I used the following items:
Skylark Workshop on the Go found here
Memento London Fog ink (because my Slate inks are currently loaned to someone else) You can find the Slate ink pad here
Pumice Stone distress marker
Tim Holtz distressing tool

So what is so great about a Workshop on the Go kit? Well, all the paper and embellishments plus a stamp set are included. There is enough paper to do one more 2 page layout that will coordinate, but will not be exactly the same. The stamp set is a D-sized set that is included only in the kit so even after the paper and embellishments are gone, you have a great set of stamps. Unfortunately, Skylark is only available until the end of July, so hurry on over and place your order. Go to my Close to my Heart page to see all the products that will be disappearing at the end of the month. You don't want to miss out.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Remember to take some time to enjoy the little things.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Today I want to share a big change that Close To My Heart has made that may be perfect for you. They are changing the way they put together new consultant kits. How does that effect you? They are now providing options for the type of kit you choose. They are now providing kits tailored for scrapbookers as well as for cardmakers. You get to choose which one you would like when you sign up.

Are you interested in earning some extra money while creating great projects using top quality supplies? Close To My Heart may be perfect for you. Contact me at djssunries@gmail.com for more information. I would love to have you join the team.

About Me

I have a lot of titles. I am a follower of Christ, created to glorify God. I am a wife to the best husband in the world and a mom to two great kids. I am also an RN with a great job as Director of Case Management. In all of my spare time, I craft.